Faces of Calvary: Meet Mary and Katie

We recently welcomed a number of new members to Calvary. This month in Faces of Calvary, we introduce two of those new members: Mary Springer and Katie Yager.

Meet Mary Springer

Describe yourself in 5 adjectives.

Prayerful, conscientious, sentimental, smiley, Nana

Tell us about your family and how long you’ve been at Calvary.

My husband Mick and I will celebrate 53 years of marriage in August. We have two grown children: Adam (Holli) of Rochester and Susan (Sam) of Los Angeles, and 5 grandchildren: Noah Abbie, and Kenzie Springer, and Theodor and Emil Anderson. We began attending Calvary in August of 2022 and became members this spring.

Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.

My childhood memories revolve around my close knit family. Most of my extended family on both sides lived within two miles of each other. My grandfather, dad, and two uncles were in business together, and we all lived in a 1854 limestone building that grandpa purchased in 1940 and turned into family apartments. My cousins and I did nearly everything together and worked in the family business at a young age. I felt valued and loved. I am the oldest of 4 children, with my sister and I as bookends and two brothers in the middle.

I grew up in the small town of Sauk City, Wisconsin, on the banks of the Wisconsin River. I graduated from UW-Eau Claire with an education degree, and Mick and I lived there until 1979 when we moved south to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. After 36 years, we chose to move to Rochester to be closer to Adam and his family. In my career, I was a school librarian, elementary and middle school public and Christian school teacher, private tutor to dyslexic children, and a Reading Specialist. Teaching was my passion.

 Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.

One thing I love to do each day is to have coffee with my husband in the living room and plan our day. I also love spending time with my grandchildren, reading, and traveling.

If you could live in any sitcom, what would it be?

When I was young, I wanted to be Mary in “The Donna Reed Show” (1958-66). Of course, she was a perfect teen in every way and had a gorgeous flip hairdo!

What do you appreciate about Calvary, and where do you serve?

From the moment we visited Calvary last August, I experienced the solid teaching and welcoming spirit of the congregation and knew I was home. I have enjoyed being part of Renovare on Thursday mornings, and am part of the JOY cook sisterhood. I am blessed!

Meet Katie Yager

Describe yourself in 5 adjectives.

Social, spunky, loving, snuggly, and kind (My 9 year old helped me with these.)

Tell us about your family and how long you’ve been at Calvary.

I have been blessed with a family of 5. My husband Travis and I have been married 18 years, and we have 3 pretty great kids. Elise is 14, and a Freshman.  Ian is 11 (almost 12), and in 6^th grade, and Maisie is 9, and will be in 4^th grade. We own Chocolaterie Stam, a chocolate & gelato shop, and have run that for 14 yrs. We have been at Calvary for almost a year, and we LOVE it here!

Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.

I was born in Munster, IN, and my family moved to Worthington, MN, when I was three. I lived there until college, and moved to Rochester in 2003. I grew up in a loving, Christ-centered home. My dad ran the Sanitation business in Worthington, so my last name was on every garbage can and dumpster in town. Going to the recycling center or landfill on the weekend was totally normal. Over the years, we found some real treasures! A wonderful childhood memory I have is going on road trips and vacations to Grand Haven, MI, with my parents and two older sisters. We would drive for 13 hours to go visit my grandparents.  Grand Haven has a beautiful beach, lighthouse, and board walk. I remember going there one time, and it was 80 degrees and sunny.  We asked my Dad to just drive us to the beach, so we could see it, not go in. I couldn’t handle it…I ran in Lake Michigan, and swam with all my clothes on! It was amazing! I was about ten years old at the time. I still thoroughly enjoy visiting Grand Haven, MI.

If you had no limitations, what would you do with your life?

I would purchase land by the water, and build a home big enough to make into a Christian retreat center for anyone who needs a break from the fast-paced life they are living. A place to connect with God and each other. No electronics. No work. Just great food, fellowship, never-ending conversations, and singing praise/worship music around a bonfire into the wee hours of the morning.

 What are you most passionate about?

I enjoy the water! Sitting by it, listening to it, reading by it, swimming in it, boating in it…I just love being by water. Ocean, lake, pool…love it all! I also enjoy a really great bonfire. Especially if there are Stam Chocolate S’mores, and great conversations involved. 

 What are your favorite holiday traditions? 

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. Baby Jesus, Christmas music, and get togethers…come on! Plus it makes winter somewhat bearable. We go out every year and cut down our Christmas tree. It’s pretty magical…for me, anyway. My family is usually cold, and they start complaining. I ignore the whining, and find that perfect tree. Then we strap it to the minivan, and get Chinese food for dinner. We also do a Christmas Light Extravaganza, but I will save that for another time…I could go on and on about Christmas. My family calls me Buddy the Elf or Clark Griswold, depending on the situation.

 Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.

One thing that I love and get to do nearly every day is sit and have coffee with my husband. Good coffee and conversation brings me joy. I also get to hug my kids every day, and I am a big fan of hugs, and my kids!

If you could live in any sitcom, what would it be?

When I was a kid, I really wanted to go to a boarding school because of the show “The Facts of Life”. It looked like a lot of fun to me to go to school, and then, live with your friends, and Mrs. Garret was so kind! Now that I am older, I think would really enjoy living in a “Golden Girls” situation, as I age!  Living in Florida, with dear friends, and eating late night cheesecake sounds great to me! 

What do you appreciate about Calvary, and where do you serve?

I appreciate the kind and welcoming people of Calvary. I enjoy the Biblical truth that is preached every Sunday. I have enjoyed Renovare, and singing on the worship team for that. Our family is also a part of an amazing small group that has brought us dear friends that feel more like our family. Our whole family has felt very welcomed, and has gotten plugged in to different Calvary ministries. Travis and I also enjoy going to, and occasionally leading Encounter. The kids love Sunday School, and Wednesday nights, and we all enjoy the fellowship & cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning!